James Kenneth Stephen (1859-1892) was Virginia Woolf's cousin. He was educated at Eton and King's (coming up in 1878), and was a Fellow of the College between 1885 and 1892. He wrote 'Lapsus Calami' and other poems, and in 1883 was tutor to Edward, Prince of Wales (Duke of Clarence). His promising career was cut short when he became mentally ill following a blow to the head; he died at the age of 33.

This small collection of papers comprises poems, a few letters and two press cuttings.

The provenance of the papers is unknown.

This material was recatalogued in 2006. The original arrangement was generally retained, except that printed material has been removed from the correspondence and the letters have been placed in alphabetic rather than chronological sequence.

See also Shelfmark 30/3 (Library - Rare Books) for autograph manuscript and printed material comprising the printer's copy for the 3rd edition of 'Lapsus Calami' by James Kenneth Stephen, July 1891 (2 volumes); a copy of his book 'Quo Musa Tempis'; and KCAC/1/4/Stephen for two engravings.

Poems by JKS. Autograph manuscript poems, some written on the back of correspondence or included within the text of a letter. To aid identification, titles given by JKS are written in capitals and first lines are recorded as they appear in the manuscript in inverted commas. The poems comprise:-. - 'Thou sea that spreadest far around ...' 1869;. - 'Now again Old Father Christmas ...', within an autograph letter signed from 'Togaturus' (JKS) to Kate Stephen, 6 Nov. 1870;. - DEGENERATION, beginning 'The power of Greece was failing fast ...' with LINES TO THE STATUE IN THE SCHOOL YARD, beginning 'Henry, I have watched thee often ...', 9 Sept. 1875;. - THE HUNDRED, beginning 'You ask me for a prophecy ...', c. 1878 [because written for the Eton Chronicle];. - 'The inky midnight sky ...'. Stanzas I - III are written on the reverse of an autograph letter signed from C. A. Daw to Lady Stephen, 10 Sept. 1879; Stanzas IV - V are written on the reverse of an autograph letter from the firm of Jackson & Graham to Sir James Stephen, 11 Sept. 1879;. - THE WATERWITCH AND THE MUTINEER, beginning 'He paced the wind'ard scuppers ...', undated;. - THE GOBLIN or THE INHOSPITABLE VILLAGE, beginning 'What! a bed for the night, old man? ...', undated;. - MILITARY DISCIPLINE or THE WRAITH, beginning ''Was that an owl?' the Captain said ...', undated;. - 'Ghosts are unsubstantial [sic] creatures ...', undated, addressed to the Editor of the 'Weekly Advertiser', Ireland;. - 'The moon was ['shining' is lined through] in the sky ...', undated;. - THE EVE OF THE WEDDING DAY, beginning 'Just as the day was failing ...', undated;. - 2 poems in German, signed by JKS, undated;. - A LEGEND OF RAVENSDALE, beginning 'This smiling valley as old folks tell ...', 27 Sept. 1882;. - 'The Queen of England paced the hall ...', dedicated 'to R. E. Stephen', 27 Sept. 1883;. - 'The Sun's bright rays with gladness burned ...', to 'R. E. Stephen', undated;. - 'Oh, there once was a time when our poets, sweet creatures ...', 27 Sept. 1885;. - 'September 27 comes ...', 27 Sept. 1886;. - 'Dear Rosamond. I hear with deep regret ...', 25 Feb. 1880. 34 items; paper.

Letter from J K Stephen to the Saville Club. 1 printed circular letter, addressed to W E Luce. The letter admonishes members for being 'mean, treacherous and disingenuous, as well as tyrannical, narrow-minded and brutal.'. 1 sheet; paper.

29 Jan. 1891

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